Gravity bowling ball projector



United States Patent [72] inventor Aaron Calvin Lieb 3,159,401 12/ 1964 Ikenberry.... 273/54 1334 Birch St., Reading, Pennsylvania 3,215,436 11/1965 Carter 273/129(X) 19604 3,228,693 1/1966 Ingebo 273/129 [2]] App]. NO. 715,113 1,268,741 6/1918 McCoy... 273/38 [22] Filed Feb. 16,1968 1,958,353 5/1934 Badgerow 273/94 [45] Patented Nov. 10, 1970 3,481,601 12/1969 Santora 273/54 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle 541 GRAVITY BOWLING BALL PROJECTOR Amr'ley-synnesmedt and Lechner 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 273/54,

273/129 ABSTRACT: A bowling game device is disclosed that enables [51] Int. Cl A6311 3/02 impelling a bowling h down h ll l l b means f of Search g y The device includes means to permit the bowling 381 l 20; 124/1 to be positioned and held in any given orientation and released R r Ci d without disturbing this Orientation so that if the center of [56] e "wees e gravity of the bowling ball does not coincide with the geomet- UNITED STATES PATENTS ric center of the bowling ball, the path of the ball down the 3,083,967 4/1963 Steel 273/54 bowling alley can be controlled,

Patented Nov. 10, 1970 3,539,183

GRAVITY BOWLING BALL PROJECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a bowling game device and more particularly to a device that will impel a bowling ball by means of gravity down a bowling alley. The device is particularly designed to enable individuals, particularly the elderly, to enjoy the game of bowling even though they are unable to roll a bowling ball down the alley. The device is a game of skill as it permits control over the path of the bowling ball as it goes down the bowling alley. Thus, rather than being a device that is used primarily to aim the ball, the device of this invention is designed to permit causing the ball to hook as may be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a device that may be used to impel a bowling ball down a bowling alley by means of gravity.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for impelling a bowling ball down a bowling alley by means of gravity that permits control over the path of the ball as it is moving down the alley.

Briefly, these and other objects of this invention are attained by providing an inclined track upon which the bowling ball can be rolled down. The track islof sufflcient height and length so that the bowling ball, in rolling down the incline, will achieve a sufficient velocity to roll down the alley and strike the pins. The track incorporates at its upper end a holding and release device that, in cooperation with the track, permits the bowling ball to be moved into any desired orientation and held in such position without being disturbed until the ball is released. Since the center of gravity of a bowling ball is frequently displaced to a slight degree from the actual geometric center, the bowling ball may be caused to hook, depending on the orientation of the ball when supported by the track and the holding and release means. It can be understood that if the center of gravity and the geometric center of the ball are, in relationship to each other, in the 12 oclock position, essentially no hook will occur as the ball rolls down the alley. Conversely, a maximum degree of hook can be obtained if the relative position of the center of gravity to geometric center is at 3 or 9 oclock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the upper portion of the device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device of this invention illustrating the method by which the bowling ball is supported and released.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the track.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device of this invention.

Referring to the drawings, it can be seen that the device includes a track 1 for guiding the bowling ball. The track 1 has side rails that slope upwardly and outwardly to guide the bowling ball as it travels down the track. The track 1 has a base or foot portion 2 that may be provided with rubber bearing pads 11. The track 1 and its side rails are illustrated here as being securedly held together by means of metal straps 3-3.

While not necessary in the practice of this invention, it is convenient for purposes of storage and portability to divide the track into two portions and connect them by means of a hinge 4. This permits the track to be folded together when it is not in use.

At the upper portion of the track, there is a loop 5 that serves to retain a bowling ball and to release the, bowling ball without disturbing its position by lifting it as by pulling up on the strap 10.

The track 1 is supported in an inclined position by means of legs 7 and 8. A hinge 6 is provided so that the leg 7 may be folded against the track 1 for convenience in storage and portability.

Legs 7 and 8 are shown held together by means of wing nuts 9. This arrangement permits judgment of the height of the one end of the track I. This adjustable feature is not necessary in the practice of this invention. In a preferred embodiment, the

height of one end of the track will be about to inches and tF length of the track about inches. With this geometry, the

ball is impelled with sufficient velocity so that it will go In the foregoing description of the drawings, it can be understood that the device of this invention permits a bowling ball to be held by the cooperative relationship of the upper portion of the track 1 and the holding and release means 5. While the ball is so held, the game participant may maneuver the bowling ball into any desired orientation. After a few turns rolling a given bowling ball down the alley, it can be determined if the bowling ball is out of balance, i.e., the center of gravity does not coincide with the geometric center of the ball,

and to the extent that the ball is out of balance, it can be caused to hook going down the alley depending upon the way the ball is oriented. It can be understood that it is essential in the practice of this invention to have the ball held by the cooperative relationship of the holding and release mechanism and the track so that when the ball is properly adjusted, it will remain in the given position and further that this position will not be disturbed when the ball is released. For this reason, the holding and release mechanism of this invention is designed so that the ball will not be touched by the human hand when it is released and further that the orientation of the ball will not be disturbed nor any spin imparted to the ball at the moment of release.

Iclaim: l. A bowling game including a device for releasing a track is inclined to the horizontal with the uppermost portion of the track being approximately waist high and the lowermost portion of the track terminating in close proximity to the floor, the inclination of the track being such that if-a bowling ball is placed in any portion thereof, it will be impelled by gravity down the track;

bowling ball holding and releasing means positioned adjacent the upper end of the track adapted to receive and hold a bowling ball and to enable the bowling ball to be released and begin to roll by gravity down the track without being touched or impelled by the human hand, the bowling ball holding and releasing means forming a cooperative relationship with the adjacent portion of the track to enable positioning of the bowling ball in any selected orientation and maintaining the ball in that orientation until released by the holding and releasing means; and

whereby if the center of gravity of the bowling ball does not coincide with the geometric center of the ball, the path of the bowling ball down the bowling alley can be controlled by the position in which the bowling ball is oriented while supported in cooperative relationship between the track and the holding and releasing means.

2. A bowling game according to claim 1 in which the holding and releasing means is comprised of an elongated element secured at each of its ends at opposite sides of the track to form a loop that will, in a lowered position, retain a bowling ball, but will release the bowling ball when in a raised position.

3. A bowling game according to claim 1 in which the track is comprised of a base member with upstanding flange members on opposite sides of the base member, the flange members having outwardly sloping-interior walls adapted to receive the bowling ball. 

